Published September 17. 2025 02:35PM<\/p>\n
Jeff Cortazzo\u2019s latest release was more than just a children\u2019s book. For him, it is the ribbon-breaking moment at the end of a 2-year-long triathlon made up of writing, drawing and composing.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Five Birds and the Cat Queen,\u201d is a colorful narrative that is meant for kids of any reading level to follow.<\/p>\n
The story begins with five feathery friends getting tossed into a new adventure, and ends with a meaningful lesson on inner-beauty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s a lot of things that are offered to our children that entertain them and others that teach them. But if you can entertain them and teach them at the same time, they don\u2019t know they\u2019re being taught,\u201d Cortazzo said.<\/p>\n
This is made possible through Cortazzo\u2019s narration paired with original music and sound. All of which is written, composed and recorded by Cortazzo. The real story started with one composition written more than 40 years ago when Cortazzo was in college.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I was in college I wrote a woodwind quintet and I called it \u2018The Five Birds,\u2019 and I thought that\u2019d be a cool children\u2019s book,\u201d Cortazzo said. \u201cAt the time I never did anything with it, so the idea is 40 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n
For as long as he could remember, Cortazzo was drawing cartoons. But it wasn\u2019t until sixth grade when he discovered what would become his life\u2019s work, music.<\/p>\n
From sixth grade until he graduated in 1981, Cortazzo was in the Palmerton School Band. He shined in every show and practice and soon carried it into college, where he would study music.<\/p>\n
Now more than 35 years into his career, Cortazzo is well-established as a professional bass trombonist for the Army Band in Washington D.C.<\/p>\n
This isn\u2019t his first time teaching, either.<\/p>\n
Over his long-lived career, Cortazzo recalls teaching more than 2,000 students. Through his book he hopes to teach a lot more.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response has been very enthusiastic across the board,\u201d Cortazzo said. \u201cReaders not only intellectually understand the moral of each book, but they can imitate that beneficial trait, like kindness.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cortazzo is working on creating a five-part series, \u201cThe Five Birds and the Cat Queen,\u201d was just the beginning. On July 11, he released the second book in the series, \u201cThe Five Birds and the Missing Macaw.\u201d Both books are currently available on Amazon.<\/p>\n
To keep up with Cortazzo\u2019s latest releases, visit fivebirdsadventures.com.<\/p>\n
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